Geithner: Republicans Are In A ‘Tough Position’

PEMA LEVY 9:25 AM EST, SUNDAY DECEMBER 2, 2012

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said that Republicans are in a "tough position" with regards to a debt deal because they still have to figure out what their side is willing to put forward, during an interview on "Fox News Sunday." While Republicans have called on Democrats to propose cuts to entitlements, Geithner argued on Sunday that Democrats had put forward a detailed plan and that if Republicans want something different, then the ball is in their court.

"They're in kind of a tough position now," Geithner said. "They're trying to figure out how to find a way to support things that they know they're gonna have to do," Geithner said. "It's going to be very hard for them. You've heard them, for the first time I think in two decades now, acknowledge that they're willing to have revenues go up as part of a balanced plan. That's a good first step. But they have to tell us what they're willing to do on rates and revenues. That's going to be very hard for Republicans."

Geithner returned to this theme later in the interview: "Again, if they need a little more time to figure out what they can do -- what they want to do -- that's OK. We don't have that much time though."

2. You need to explain it Mr. Geithner. Come out and say it - President Obama has a mandate.

Come out and say that the republicans want to propose more tax cuts for the rich and austerity for everyone else and have to figure out how to look good doing it. They need to pull the wool over peoples eyes again, and they need time to formulate a smokescreen, a distraction that will allow them to blame democrats.

Don't give them the wiggle room. Make them accountable and make them own their proposal, because you know it will stink of the oligarchy and more corporate welfare and giveaways to the rich. And you know the American people voted against it.